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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Summary for myself: a genderless, raceless being appears in a small Southern town, and everyone is just really obsessed with finding out who they are (not so much where they've come from, though).
This book asks far more questions than it wants to answer; at first I found this frustrating, but then I grew to see that that was the point. Honestly, it deserves a 3.5, and rating it a 3 feels almost embarrassing, like I should just accept that "not understanding" it is the whole theme, but, well, even though it was genuinely a very good book, did I "enjoy" it? That's complicated.
In a lot of ways, Pew feels like a book that should (and hopefully will) be read by high schoolers in AP English. The references to Ursula K. LeGuin and the overall stylistic similarity to The Lottery are what gave me that impression, along with the at times very hamfisted message of "don't pry into people's lives, we are what we are and nobody is entitled to information about anybody else." Yes, I was confused by much of the story, characterization, and narrative, but I found Pew's narration to be beautiful, almost as though reading something written by an alien. I am mystified by the Forgiveness Festival and genuinely have no idea what it brings to this book. But the point of view, message, and style were so fascinating -- and I gotta say, the hardcover is such a satisfying shape and size! -- that I found this a breezy, fast read.
This book asks far more questions than it wants to answer; at first I found this frustrating, but then I grew to see that that was the point. Honestly, it deserves a 3.5, and rating it a 3 feels almost embarrassing, like I should just accept that "not understanding" it is the whole theme, but, well, even though it was genuinely a very good book, did I "enjoy" it? That's complicated.
In a lot of ways, Pew feels like a book that should (and hopefully will) be read by high schoolers in AP English. The references to Ursula K. LeGuin and the overall stylistic similarity to The Lottery are what gave me that impression, along with the at times very hamfisted message of "don't pry into people's lives, we are what we are and nobody is entitled to information about anybody else." Yes, I was confused by much of the story, characterization, and narrative, but I found Pew's narration to be beautiful, almost as though reading something written by an alien. I am mystified by the Forgiveness Festival and genuinely have no idea what it brings to this book. But the point of view, message, and style were so fascinating -- and I gotta say, the hardcover is such a satisfying shape and size! -- that I found this a breezy, fast read.
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's an interesting idea. I just wished it would have gone somewhere beyond the evocative.
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Not your average allegory for racism. A really captivating, quick read.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is one of those books where as I’m reading through, I’m enjoying it and the unusual structure but then the ending throws me for a loop. I didn’t quite get it. And so I end up thinking, hmm, I’m definitely not as smart as I think I am.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes